Ten on Tuesday--2008 Year End Edition

1. Arthur had an abscessed anal gland last week. He was really good on our trip to WV and now we know why. I had to wipe his behind Saturday night. Ick.

2. I received some really great Christmas gifts this year but these are two of my favorites. Thank you wonderful husband!



3. I am totally addicted to spinning. I would go every day if I had time. In fact, when Jonathan goes to WV again for a visit with my parents, I think that I WILL go every day. I can't explain it, I just love it. The new shoes and the Sigg water bottle make it that much better. I may venture into outdoor cycling come spring but I'm not sure if it will be as much fun when I'll have to face the elements.

4. One of the presents I received this year was this. In fact, I received two. Odd.

5. Jonathan received a gigantic fire truck, among approximately one million other things, from my sister this year. It shoots water because a remote control and sirens are not enough. Despite the fact that the package said it was for ages five and up, Jonathan is able to operate it like a pro.

6. Jonathan and I go to Walmart every Sunday for our weekly grocery shopping. This week, I almost peed myself in the cereal aisle when he pointed to a box of Fruit Loops and asked if he could have some "hoop-a-loops." The kid can say toucan but not Fruit Loops, go figure.

7. Why can I not remember to take my reusable shopping bags in with me during aforementioned trips to Walmart? I bought some super cute ones at Whole Foods, thinking I would put them in the trunk so they would always be with me. But I NEVER get them out of the car. Anyone have any ideas on how to get in the habit?

8. I think my MIL may have an addiction to QVC, an ailment that has not been at all helped by the fact that she was home bound due to a recent outpatient surgery.

9. Jonathan is spending the night at my MIL's tomorrow night and I am SO excited to have a child free New Year's Eve.

10. My birthday is nine days away. Wicked is in town and Bryan and I are going on my birthday. Not as adventurous as skydiving, but a lot less risky!

Happy New Year's to everyone! See you in 2009!

Holiday Happiness

I took all of zero pictures during our family visit to WV. It was much like my blogging lately--sheer laziness. I'm making it one of my New Year's resolutions to try to do better.

One of my Christmas gifts from my sister, Laura, was a new camera. I am wanting to invest in a Rebel but, until then, the old 4 megapixel needed updating. The new camera was a Black Friday purchase and a HUGE improvement over the old one. Now if I can just improve my photo-taking skills...

I DID take pictures at our day after Christmas gathering at Bryan's parents' house. Jonathan and his cousin, Aiden, do not get to spend much time together. But when they do, both of them are pretty much in heaven. Seeing those boys play together makes me so happy. Even though I am pretty sure we are not going to have more children, my heart is warmed so much by their interaction that it reminds me of the value of having a sibling.



Bryan received the obligatory socks. His faux happiness would be convincing if I didn't know him so well.


As you can see from this shot, Bryan's Dad was totally into the holiday spirit:



I hope everyone had a great Christmas! I can't believe it is over again for another year! It always goes by too quickly, particularly, it seems, when you have children.

Brick

Thanks to Ginger and Kim, we've jumped on the Elf on a Shelf bandwagon and man, was that $30 ever worth it! All we have to do is threaten to tell the elf if Jonathan's bad and he begs us not to tell Brick, that he will be good. It's awesome.

Here is Jonathan checking out the new addition to our Christmas traditions:





The look on his face when he opened the box and saw the Elf was precious. I told him he needed to name the Elf and he thought about it for 2.3 seconds and then announced we would call him Brick. Bryan thought I was the influence behind the name in that he considered it a shout out to "Anchorman" but I had absolutely nothing to do with it. I have no idea where he came up with the name but I LOVE IT.



I let him touch Brick, at least until we got to the part in the story where we learned you are not supposed to touch the elf or it will ruin the magic. Oops.



Bryan's Mom had outpatient surgery on Wednesday this week, making it necessary for Bryan to spend the night at his parents' house the last two nights. It's been so helpful for my continuity-loving three year old to have searching the house for Brick when he gets up in the morning as a distraction. What's not to love about this precious little guy?

Thanksgiving Fun

Every year, Jonathan and I go to WV to visit my family and Bryan stays in the 'ville and hangs out with his parents. This led my grandmother, the first year after Bryan and I were married, to question whether everything with our relationship was OK and it totally was--it's just how we roll. I enjoy a Black Friday extravaganza with my sisters and that is SO not Bryan so it's become somewhat of a tradition for us to split up for Thanksgiving.

Maybe it's the hunting?? This is my youngest sister's husband on Thanksgiving this year. I can't imagine why Bryan wouldn't want to participate in this Prince family tradition...



Jonathan was quite whiny this year. I'd like to think it was a product of the croup he was diagnosed with early in the week, but, unfortunately, I think it was more a product of the Terrible Threes that we seem to be in the midst of right now. The first picture was a farce...








Here is my dear, sweet, precious mother with the spatula she used to beat us with as children. OK, maybe I'm kidding. I'm sure she's purchased a new spatula since then.



Seriously, as always, we had a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner. Since Bryan was not present and he is the King of the Self Portrait, I offer the following. The giant cheek in the first one is my middle sister, Laura.






Priceless, is it not??

I'm Outta Here!

Tomorrow I head to Long Beach California for the weekend. It's a work trip, which is even better than a normal trip because it's FREE. I'll be staying here:



Two glorious nights of peace and quiet, upscale shopping and adult dinners. Oh, and near eighty degree weather (it SNOWED here today. Ugh). I'm leaving my precious child in the hands of this man:



I'm hoping that everyone remains in one piece. I am fully anticipating coming home to a kitchen covered in peanut butter and Fruity Pebbles. Please pray they don't turn all Lord of the Flies on me.

But this bed is calling me...



...as is Kate Spade and Neiman Marcus and Anthropologie. Somehow I think I will manage to survive!

Random November Parade

Two evenings ago, Jonathan decided we needed to have a parade. Participating in the parade were a fire truck, a dump truck, some Pottery Barn blocks and a stick pony.



Marching was, of course, involved.



I was not paying attention to the parade at one point and then looked over because I felt like someone was staring at me:



And then I received this look accompanied with a command to carry the blocks. It's hard work being a parade grand master.



Guess who is currently ruling this house??

Trick or Treat

Jonathan was REALLY into trick or treating this year. Right after he decided what he wanted to be, he immediately told me that he wanted to go trick or treating with Caroline and Lily, like last year. How he remembered that is what we did last year is beyond me! Those girls are like surrogate big sisters to Jonathan, the three of them are so cute together!













Jonathan was so pleased with his costume, which was amazing considering the fact that he'd pretty much lived in it for two days, what with a whirlwind of Halloween activities.


















A few action shots. Oh, I should mention here, in case it was not obvious, that Cindy's fabulous photo skills are at work yet again.
























I had to include this one--look at my super cool light up cup!













I love pictures of children from the back. This costume was one of few I've ever seen that is equally as cute from this angle as it is head on:


















More action shots. Sorry for the picture overload but I could not decide which ones to use so I decided to use a lot!













































There were SO many houses and so much candy that Jonathan's little legs eventually got tired. Bryan carried him for a while and then Joe filled in. Jonathan was so cute walking around going "I need my Joe."





























A good time was had by all. Until next year...

Five Glorious Years

To Bryan, my husband of five years today:

You are truly the light of my life. The happiness I feel on a daily basis, I owe entirely to you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You've given me the greatest gift I could ever receive in the form of our precious son. You are an incredible man and I am so proud to call you my husband.

As I think back on the five years since we were married (almost five years to the minute, as I am typing this), I reflect on what a wondrous journey it has been. I am so fortunate to share my life with you, surrounded by love, a fantastic family and good friends. Even when things are not so perfect, I am always assured of your love for me and that knowledge allows me to look into the future filled with a sense of hope and promise.

I love you with all of my heart and intend to devote the remainder of my life to being a good wife to you and a good mother to our son. I am so happy that we made the decision to say "I do" five years ago. I love waking up next to you every morning and I can not wait to see what the future holds for us. You are the most incredible husband for which I could ever have hoped.

Jennifer

Halloween Happiness

Jonathan picked his own Halloween costume this year. Not as easy as a mother would hope--they do not make a child version of the costume he wanted so I had to assemble it. I was quite pleased, however, with the results:




I am still lovin' me some Mexico, but it sure will be nice to see that precious face in a few days!

Ten on Tuesday--Mexico Edition

Bryan and I are in the Mayan Riveria for a week and it is AWESOME. As you may recall, we renovated our kitchen earlier this year. Since my Dad and my lovely hubby did the bulk of the work themselves, we saved a TON of money. We could have been more fiscally responsible with our financial windfall, but nothing says happiness like a Caribbean vacation, so here we are!

In honor of my locale, here are ten fantastic things about being in Mexico for a week, particularly when you are staying at the Iberostar Grand Paraiso:

1. All inclusive. Two of the most beautiful words when combined with vacation. There is nothing so happy as being able to eat what you want, drink what you want and not have to worry about paying for it. Yeah, I get that we DID actually pay for it, but that was months ago so now it feels free.

2. Spinning class EVERY day. We joined the Y about two months ago and I am loving some spinning. Later today will be my first experience with Mexican spinning and I am hoping for a hot instructor :)

3. 24 hour room service. If one were so inclined, you could totally live in your room. We do not intend to do that, but I am SO excited about my breakfast being delivered in a few hours!

4. A pillow menu. I need to select something firmer because the pillows on this lovely bed were just a bit too squishy for my taste last night.



5. Butler service. This is the most incredible thing I have ever experienced. The resort has butler service and a concierge. Within thirty minutes of stepping into our room, our butler came by to greet us, tell us a bit about the resort and our room and to ask us what we needed. Our room has a mini bar and when, in response to his question about liquor preferences, we said we liked gin and vodka. he told us he could bring big bottles of whatever we wanted. Bryan hugged him and told him we liked wine, too. He brought us our computer cord and internet access information, then we changed into swimwear and wandered around the resort. When we came back, we had this:



I am planning on trying to think of reasons to use the butler. It feels bratty but when will I ever get to do this again?

6. These chairs, the second of which I know Jonathan would just love. Sorry, kiddo, this place is adults only. The first chair just looks perfect for my intended completion of the Twilight books this week.




7. The beach. I love the ocean--I've had some non-oceanside vacation, but I just don't really feel like vacation is complete without sand and ocean.



8. His and her sinks. Bryan and I only have to share a bathroom at home. I am totally looking forward to having my own space. And it's such a pretty little space, too.



9. Bell hop service. Our resort is located on grounds with at least three other resorts. We have access to all of them as well as a shopping area, pool, etc. It is a large place and it seemed a bit daunting until they told us that the bell hops will take us wherever we wanted to go. We haven't tried this out yet, but apparently you just walk outside and they will take you wherever you want, shopping, golf, etc. Oh yes.

10. Last but most importantly, spending time with Bryan. We both work so hard at our jobs and with Jonathan. It's nice to have some time to ourselves just to reconnect. I am SO looking forward to hanging out and spending time together without the pressures of every day life. THAT is what vacation is all about!

Third Annual Trip to Huber's Orchard and Winery

For the third year running, we made a trip to Huber's Orchard and Winery on Sunday to pick out some pumpkins. This was hands down our best family trip EVER. The weather was perfect, Jonathan was in a fantastic mood and we just had fun--no whining, no crying, none of the general yucky behavior that kids seem to throw at you when you plan a family outing.

Here is the post from last year, for comparison's sake. It even has a picture of Jonathan from his first trip--he was so cute and so amenable to pumpkin patch themed clothing. He's totally outgrown that stage now. **Sigh**

Jonathan was in love with the painted pumpkins. We bought a small one and it came home to live with us. It was super cute until Jonathan decided to paint it himself. Now it's pretty atrocious, but don't tell him that.



Jonathan waited patiently for the tractor to take us out to the pumpkin patch. And yes he is wearing a fall color themed shirt. Hey, a mother of a son has to coordinate with the seasons where she can.



Jonathan got right to work finding the "right" pumpkin. Unlike last year, the pumpkins were in great shape and it was really easy to find some good ones. You can even see me in the second shot. Well, at least in shadow, but I'll still count it as a family picture.




They have this out every year during the pumpkin season and I always forget to take a picture of Jonathan by it. Not this year, though:



We saw a mother sitting on a pumpkin smoking a cigarette while her children frolicked around her. I think this one is more wholesome:



Bryan was able to find a nice "pair":



After we purchased our pumpkins, it was time for treats all around. For Jonathan, Superman ice cream. For Mommy and Daddy, wine and a lovely cheese tray. The third picture in this set totally confirms that I am, in fact, a complete dork:





While we were having our makeshift picnic, a random guy offered to take our picture. Not too shabby.



I got Jonathan's ice cream in a bowl primarily because it was around 85 degrees and I knew it would melt all over him in 2.3 seconds. But after he attacked the cone that the ice cream lady was nice enough to let us have on the side, yet another reason why a bowl was a good choice came to light.





Of course, before we could leave, Jonathan wanted to check out the tractors. This one makes me think maybe he'd like to go live with The Pioneer Woman:



After such a fun time, I was not too surprised to see this on the way home. I'd suspected sleep was on it's way when he stopped talking in the car, a definite rarity.



And then I looked over at Bryan and thought, oh crap, not him too.



And then I had this odd feeling come over me. I knew I shouldn't have had that wine:



OK, just kidding. But this really did happen and it was a nice quiet end to a super fun time!